Hello and welcome to today's Rugby League LIVE blog, the place to be to find all the news you need from the sport.

We'll have updates throughout the day as well as any transfer gossip that comes out.

We start with an interview from Zak Hardaker, who is set to make his Wigan Warriors bow shortly. The former Man of Steel has endured a difficult 16 month period in which he was banned for drugs misuse as well as being arrested for drink-driving.

Now, the former Leeds and Castleford man is set for last chance saloon with the Warriors in 2019.

There's also news of a huge new arrival in Super League in the form of Gareth Widdop at Warrington Wolves from 2020.

That's it for today - here are the latest RL headlines

KR statement with quotes from Hudgell on stadium reopening

Will KR name their strongest line-up?

As the new Super League season creeps ever closer, time is ticking for sides to pick their best 17 that will take to the pitch in round one.

For Hull KR, ahead of the tasty opening outing against Hull FC on February 1 at KCOM Craven Park, their players have one friendly match remaining in which to convince coach Tim Sheens that they’re worthy of a place in the team.

The selection process is a fierce one at the Robins in 2019 with strength in depth added across the board and competition for spots is high.

Saturday’s final trial against Toronto Wolfpack offers Sheens the opportunity to test-run, perhaps, what he think is his starting 13.

Pre-season friendly between Hull KR and Widnes in Featherstone

16:59Gareth Westmorland

Had a go at the #10YearChallenge yet?

16:33James Smailes

This should work well!

The award for Super League’s best player will now become a season-long event.

Ben Barba pictured with the Man of Steel award. (Image: SWpix)

16:25Paul Clarke

ICYMI - RIP Wilf

Wilf Rosenberg only played two seasons for Hull FC but he made a lasting impact.

The former winger has died at the age of 84 but leaves behind memories aplenty on the terraces.

Whilst he is not the most revered Hull player to have donned the black and white stripes, Rosenberg’s try-scoring dives are recalled even to this day.

One FC fan in particular, Pete Allen, has fond memories of the ‘flying dentist’ after he scored 42 times in 86 appearances for the Black and Whites from 1961 to 1963.

He was my first real hero. I was eleven when he signed for the club and it was at the time when the great team of the 1950s had all-but fizzled out.

It was a tough time for the club. He made his debut against Bramley and scored twice. In the same game, Clive Sullivan scored a hat-trick on the other wing on his debut as a trialist. It was quite a monumental day. From that day onwards, he’s been a lifelong hero of mine.

15:59Gareth Westmorland

Furner excited for new-look Rhinos side

15:29Gareth Westmorland

Hull KR expected to confirm stadium state of play today

The Robins are close to confirming that Saturday’s game against Toronto Wolfpack will be played at KCOM Craven Park, I understand.

We must stress it’s NOT been confirmed yet however the signs are positive, so stay tuned.

Wardle: I have unfinished business at Giants

Joe Wardle says he has ‘unfinished business’ after his return to Huddersfield Giants was confirmed.

The 27-year-old came back on an initial season-long loan from Castleford Tigers, with Jordan Rankin heading in the opposite direction in the wake of Luke Gale’s injury.

The Scotland international, who left the Giants in 2016 to join Newcastle Knights, will get the opportunity to take to the field with his younger brother and teammate Jacob next year.

It’s a pretty good feeling to be honest, everyone has really welcomed me,

I’m looking forward to playing alongside my brother as well. That’s been an ambition of mine since he started to be a pro.

To be honest it just happened so quick and if came out of nowhere. There was a few rumours going round but it happened really fast and it was a lot to take in. I’ve got a bit of unfinished business here and I want to win a bit of silverware here.

Obviously they’ve got some big signings that they’ve made and last year they proved that they can match with the big boys a bit and I’m really looking forward to it. We’ll just see what happens.

12:54Gareth Westmorland

ICYMI - Ex-Barrow prop banned for steroid use

Former Barrow forward James Duerden has been given a four-year ban after being found guilty of using of steroids.

Duerden, now 27, tested positive for the presence of methyl-androstan, a metabolite of drostanolone, and norandrosterone, a metabolite of nandrolone, during a training session at Craven Park on December 14, 2017.

The suspension, imposed by UK Anti-Doping, starts from the date of sample collection and expires at midnight on December 13, 2021.

UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said:

It’s imperative that all athletes, at all levels of competitive sport, understand and adhere to the concept of strict liability.

Nandrolone and drostanolone are steroids, prohibited at all times as per the WADA Prohibited List, not only for performance enhancing reasons, but for health reasons too.

A second rower, Duerden joined Barrow from Workington in 2015 and previously represented the Great Britain Under-19s amateur team.

12:10Gareth Westmorland

Get involved KR fans

12:01Paul Clarke

This could be interesting!

Wigan Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan has spoken about the prospect of having reserves matches this year.

Gareth Ellis will be the head coach of Hull FC's reserves this year. (Image: Hull FC)

11:41Gareth Westmorland

O'Loughlin hasn't made a decision on Warriors future

Wigan captain Sean O’Loughlin has yet to decide whether this will be his last season as a player but he definitely wants to tour with Great Britain at the end of it.

Sean O'Loughlin.

The loose forward turned 36 in November, shortly after signing a new contract with his hometown club for 2019, but has not ruled out playing under Shaun Edwards when he takes over as Warriors head coach in 12 months.

I wouldn’t make a call on it being my last year without having played a game. I’ll see how the year goes. I think my decision will be towards the end of the season.

11:15Paul Clarke

This can only be good for rugby league!

Tony Adams will take up the role of Rugby Football League President from this summer and he has already been making waves in terms of publicity for the sport.

The Arsenal football legend made a guest appearance on Good Morning Britain today and in and amongst discussing an array of topics, rugby league naturally popped up.

Tony Adams receives the 'Global Football Ambassador' award during the Football Business Awards at Honorable Artillery Company on November 22, 2018 in London. (Image: Getty Images)

10:48KEY EVENT

Hardaker: I hit rock bottom

Former England full-back Zak Hardaker has hit rock bottom and is now ready to reach for the top once more after completing the first stage of his rehabilitation from alcohol dependence.Within weeks of helping Castleford reach the 2017 Grand Final, the former Super League Man of Steel found himself cleaning floors in a warehouse after testing positive for cocaine use.Sacked by his club and subsequently handed a 14-month ban, Hardaker was handed a lifeline by Wigan last May but four months later put his four-year contract in jeopardy after being convicted of drink-driving.

Zak Hardaker pictured during his time with Castleford Tigers. (Image: SWpix)

Funnily enough, he came to Wigan the week before I went down to talk about Sporting Chance and he said he could remember seeing me there.

We had a little talk about the issues and he told us his story, which was mind-boggling to be fair.

If it’s happening to someone who was the England and Arsenal captain, it’s quite a strong message.

The similarities between the drinking and the keeping some of the issues inside was a massive thing for me. I could totally relate to that.

10:32Gareth Westmorland

Tim Sheens' latest press conference for Hull KR

10:07James Smailes

Widdop: I'll realise a childhood dream at Warrington

England international Gareth Widdop says he will realise a childhood dream when he joins Warrington in 2020.The 29-year-old Halifax-born goalkicking full-back or stand-off signed a three-year deal with the Wolves after his NRL club St George Illawarra agreed to release him from his contract at the end of the 2019 season on compassionate grounds.

England star Gareth Widdop. (Image: SWpix)

It certainly hasn’t been the easiest decision but sometimes in life we have aspirations and playing in the Super League has been one of mine for a while now.

I’ve been away from home for a long time now and, growing up in Halifax, I always had dreams of playing in Super League.

Warrington have given me the opportunity to come home and live out a childhood dream. I’m really excited for that.

I have a lot of mates in the team and it’s been a top club for a number of years.

It’s a club I want to be a part of and win some silverware with. It’s a long way off yet but it’s something I’m looking forward to.

09:44Gareth Westmorland

Catalans could be back in the Cup - but chief exec leaves

Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan has branded as “stupid” the Rugby Football League’s decision to ask Catalans Dragons for a £500,000 bond to defend the Challenge Cup.

The governing body suffered an £800,000 shortfall in its financial budget for the 2018 Challenge Cup after just 50,672 people watched the Dragons’ historic win over Warrington at Wembley and made the unusual move in an attempt to avoid a repeat.